Transfer Centre

Arsenal transfer news: Two 19-year-olds leave after rejecting new contracts

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 July 2024

Young stars depart: Arsenal confirm double exit after contract rejections

Arsenal confirm that academy duo Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry have left the club after failing to agree new contracts with the pair.

Arsenal have confirmed the exits of two highly-rated academy graduates after contract talks with both camps failed to bear fruit.

Nineteen-year-old attacker Amario Cozier-Duberry and right-back Reuell Walters - also 19 - will embark on new chapters in their careers after turning down the chance to extend their deals at the Emirates.

Both players' representatives held talks with Arsenal ahead of the expiry of their previous contracts on Sunday, but both have decided that a move elsewhere is best for their fledgling careers.

Walters had already confirmed on social media that he was set to leave Arsenal, whom he joined in 2020 following a few years in the Tottenham Hotspur academy and became a regular at Under-21 level.

The England Under-20 international frequently trained with the first team and made the bench in the Premier League, Europa League, Champions League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, but he never made his competitive senior debut for the Gunners.

Cozier-Duberry found himself in the exact same boat, despite coming up with 28 goal contributions in 48 matches across all competitions for the Under-21s, 18 of his own and 10 assists.

Reuell Walters warms up for Arsenal in March 2023 © Reuters

The 2005-born attacker also made matchday squads in the Premier League, Champions League, EFL Cup and Europa League and excelled in the Premier League 2 in 2023-24, scoring nine goals and setting up five more in 17 matches.

Cozier-Duberry did get a taste of first-team football in the off-season, playing in friendlies against Juventus, AC Milan and Lyon during the 2022 World Cup break, but he was never considered for a proper debut.

"Young pros Reuell Walters and Amario Cozier-Duberry have left the club. We wish Reuell and Amario the best in their future careers," the Gunners said in a statement.

What next for Walters and Cozier-Duberry after Arsenal exits?

Neither 19-year-old should be short of suitors for a free transfer this summer, as Cozier-Duberry had reportedly attracted interest from Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax and Anderlecht among others.

Meanwhile, Walters - who can play on the right-hand side or in the heart of defence - is thought to have admirers in England, Germany, Italy and Spain, but there has been no decision on his next destination yet.

More importantly, the pair's departures should raise a couple of alarm bells within the Arsenal walls, as both are thought to have decided to leave on account of there being no clear pathway to the first team.

Mikel Arteta was criticised for not giving young players a chance in a Champions League dead rubber against PSV Eindhoven last year, and while Ethan Nwaneri is earning fleeting chances to impress, the Gunners risk an academy exodus if more cannot follow suit.